Featured – Wakeboarding Mag

Gone Wake About: Ep. 2 – Hollie Waldrop

Andrea Gaytan — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 18:32:54 +0000

This series is about a true blue Aussie Sheila (Bec) traveling through America and riding with some of the world’s top wakeboarders along with some up-and-coming riders. We’ll get to see them take a few sets out on the water before sitting down and diving into life.

Hollie Waldrop (@holliebeth9) is a young shredder with an incredible story to share, one of perseverance and passion, just so she can continue riding behind the boat. Hollie is on her way up, recently turning pro after dominating the ladies Jr. Pro division.

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Merginos. Femmine. Chicas.

Andrea Gaytan — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 22:44:41 +0000

When Italy meets Spain in Lithuania you know that the party starts.

Claudia Pagnini with Elena Bodi earlier this year came to Vilnius, Lithuania. After their stunning performance at Red Bull wake2el, the Wake Way team decided to invite the girls to enjoy Vilnius and Wake Way. Throughout the week the girls absolutely destroyed Wake Way, every rope was a joy to watch. Sit back and enjoy!!

Camera: Dominykas Liekis, Leonardas Borotinskas

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What’s in Kira Lewis’ Board Bag?

Andrea Gaytan — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 18:02:00 +0000

Kira Lewis is a multiple-time World Title winner. Chris Garrison

Up and coming Junior Women’s World Champion Kira Lewis started riding 6 years ago in her home state of New Jersey. She began progressing when she started riding with Amber Wing at a Malibu Rider event. From then on, Kira has progressed through the sport. In her short career, Lewis has won back to back World Titles at the 2018 WWA World Championships in Japan and at the 2019 WWA World Championships in Mexico.

Kira continues to improve and rack up wins. Chris Garrison

This year, Kira took top honors in the Junior Pro Women’s division at the 2021 WWA Nautique Masters in Pine Mountain, Georgia. The youngster has been unstoppable winning each of the Malibu Junior Pro Tour events held so far in Utah, Texas, and Maryland. She now lives and trains in Clermont, Florida.

Take a look at the favorite wakeboarding gear of Junior Pro Women’s rising star!

Ronix Krush 128 Courtesy Ronix

Wakeboard: Ronix Krush 128

This board has a rocker line designed to assist a rider in a relaxed and neutrally balanced position. It has a thinner, sharper toe side rail which makes edging-in toe side a lot easier! This board is perfect for every skill level!

Ronix Signature Woman’s Boots Courtesy Ronix

Bindings: Ronix Signature Woman’s Boots

These boots are a must have! They are flexible, durable and super comfortable while providing great ankle support.

Jet Pilot Women’s Wave Farer Comp Vest Courtesy Jeff Mathis @jeffshotthat

Life Vest: Jet Pilot Women’s Wave Farer Comp Vest

I love my Jet Pilot Wave Farer life vest – it is lightweight and does not restrict my movement at all. Plus, the color combos are great. I have both the light blue and rust colored version.

Ronix Women’s Combo Courtesy Ronix

Rope/Handle: Ronix Women’s Combo

The women’s combo from Ronix has a number of features that I love – most important for me is the smaller diameter handle at 1″. I have used this handle and rope my whole wakeboard career and I love it! it’s very long lasting and easy to grip.

The Rain Surf Suit Courtesy Rain Clothing Co.

Surf Suit: The Rain Surf Suit

The Rain Surf Suit is like a rash guard and light wetsuit combined. Not only is it super cute but it also is perfect for using under my life vest and board shorts, its so comfortable! Learn more at: rainclothingco.com.

Sun Bum Face Mist Courtesy Sun Bum

Sunscreen: Sun Bum Face Mist

Staying protected from the sun’s harsh rays is super important especially being on the boat all day. I carry this sunscreen face mist everywhere I go! It’s quick and easy to reapply.

Sun Bum Leave-In Conditioner Courtesy Sun Bum

Haircare: Sun Bum Leave-In Conditioner

After every set my hair gets super knotty. This leave-in conditioner not only leaves my hair feeling healthier and tangle free but it smells amazing!

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Sessions: Photo Gallery by Bryan Soderlind

Chase Heavener, Captions by Bryan Soderlind — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 17:01:00 +0000

“Any attempt to rattle-off Bear’s accomplishments as a photographer would be hard to fit onto a single page, but, to me, listing his achievements wouldn’t be the best way to describe what separates Bear from the rest. It’s that photography feels like Bear’s art. It feels like the medium he has chosen to leave his mark on the world. Even now, after what are probably hundreds of thousands of photos taken, you still see his passion for his art form. Every time I see his images, I think, “How did he do that!?”. And while the short answer to that question is hard work, determination, and persistence, the real answer is that intangible Bear magic he brings to every shoot, and the wisdom that only comes from decades of working on his craft. So, when thinking about all the iconic images Bear has created over the years, what makes those images distinctly his, are the way he translates what can’t be put into words, into images that define a moment perfectly.” – Chase Heavener

Parks Bonifay / 9/3/2020 / Lake Minnehaha
Parks and I had this idea to shoot a long lens (400mm) from his front porch through the spanish moss about 4 years ago. Finally last September we finally rallied early one morning to get this one footer shot with Rusty Malinoski pulling him behind a Sea-Doo. I stayed on Park’s front porch and enjoyed my coffee, easiest shoot I’ve done in awhile! @thegoldenbear

Brandon and Josh Harris / 1/28/2021 / Lake Ronix
Brandon and Josh Harris sessioning my old pontoon boat for Ronix’s “Toon On, Too In, Toon Out” edit. The “Twins” as they are known around “The Lake” (Lake Ronix) are always creative and a little crazy with their riding. Their video edits are always a must see cause you know they are putting it on the line. @thegoldenbear

Massi Piffa / 1/28/2021 / Lake Ronix
Massi with another unique hit on the pontoon boat out at Lake Ronix. He is always proving himself as one of the most well rounded riders. These nose grab stalls took perfect timing from the cable driver and Massi, after a few tries the pizza boy nailed this shot and then quickly got yanked all the way back to the water. @thegoldenbear

Guenther Oka / 3/5/2021 / Bridge City, TX
On a recent trip searching for tanker waves with Sea-Doo we came across these perfect pillars. Guenther was ready to ride his foil since the plan was to catch a tanker wave going past the bridge but no ships showed up. Guenther strapped in his wakeboard and made the best of the situation by front-boarding one of the pillars of the tallest bridge in Texas! @thegoldenbear

Brian Grubb / 3/6/2021 / Galveston Bay, TX
Foiling is fun behind a boat but it is even better behind a ship! Brian Grubb foils down the line of a container ship wave swelling up on the shoals of Galveston Bay. Grubb may hold the record for some of the longest rides as this trip we chased him on the Sea-Doo for miles as he glided till his legs burned out. @thegoldenbear

Travis Doran / 3/8/21 / Lake City, FL
This winch spot is one of two natural waterfalls in Florida. I’ve been here a few times over the years and knew it could be too big to hit on a wakeskate for most. Travis is one of the heaviest wakeskaters and for him it’s a spot to bust out some tricks. Check out the new Space Mob Coalition Movie when it drops later this year to see what tricks Travis pulled at this spot! @thegoldenbear

Crosse Bearden / 3/8/2021 / Valdosta, GA
Valdosta Wake Compound is always one of my favorite places to shoot. Making ideas happen with the crew is always easy, Crosse and I got this photo relatively quick one morning. Quinn was using these cages for another shoot so Crosse I borrowed them real quick and I crawled inside. @thegoldenbear

Quinn Silvernale / 3/8/2021 / Valdosta, GA
Quinn Silvernale nose tapping his Space Mob board on a sign setup at VWC. I was pumped on the water coming off his board on this one! @thegoldenbear

Wesley Jacobsen / 3/8/2021 / Valdosta, GA
Wes nose tapping the mini brush guard on his van. It’s become a tradition to involve all kinds of vehicles when shooting at VWC so when Wes got his newly imported Toyota Van we had to park it under the cable. I’m always happy when we can work an alien and a dog into a wakeboard shot too! @thegoldenbear

Crosse Bearden / 3/8/2021 / Valdosta, GA
Crosse has all kinds of flow and style but he’ll also charge some big gnarley hits. This back nose-slide on the container at VWC has about a 12 foot drop after and if you miss the container you are in trouble. He pulled several of these off perfect like only “Craw” can! @thegoldenbear

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Wakeskating Legend Thomas Horell Reviews the Latest Video by Water Monsters “6@7”

Thomas Horrell — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:00:32 +0000

Video by: Andrew Pastura, Cole Kraiss, Maxime Giry, Jan Kissman

While Covid-19 was messing with the rest of the world, the guys from Water Monsters did something to the CWC park in the Philippines, called 6@7. Cole Kraiss, Maxime Giry, and Andrew Pastura are good, not little good, like exceptionally good at wakeskating.

Flip tricks out of front bluntslides? Okay. Backside tailslide down a 20 foot rail 270 front shuv out? Sure. Back tail bigspin out down a hubba? No problem. Front tailslide to kickflip out on a straight ledge over a drop? Why not.

The opening clip of Andrew kickflipping out of a boardslide on a round pipe with about an 8 foot drop kind of sets the tone even before the other mind melting ensues. Cole Kraiss kickflips then frontside flips over a handrail most people wouldn’t even think of ollieing on a wakeskate in the first shots. Andrew front bluntslide 270′s out in the intro and Maxime Giry lands an indy backside 180 that’s absolutely massive.

Andrew kickflip boardslides and kickflip backside lipslides a long downrail to shuv out looking like he’s done it a million times, cause he has, that’s what he does, and it’s not a big deal for him.

The Cole 3 trick line of kickflip to frontside wall ride to backside flip looks effortless and is filmed really well. The early grab transfers’, fingerflips, and the just casual vibe that Cole has makes him really fun to watch.

Maxime has so much natural ability on a wakeskate that doing things that seem impossible he makes look easy, or that he’s done before already. His board control is incredible, and he’s just beyond good.

It’s 14 minutes of jaw dropping wakeskating, edited and shot really well, and the soundtrack is good. As good as these guys are, they don’t take themselves too seriously and a brief montage of debauchery with fireworks and friends show that. There’s some time lapse artsy stuff that Drew throws in to break things up between the mind numbing hammers that these guys are putting down that i always enjoy about the WM videos.

If there was ever a wakeskater of the decade award, that would go to Drew Pastura. Seriously, no one has innovated or pushed it’s boundaries more. Wakeskating is beyond what most of us could conceive and it’s because of hard work put into videos like 6@7 from the Water Monsters guys.

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Red Bull Wake Crew Goes Gulf Coastin’ – Episode 4

Staff — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 21:13:45 +0000

Video by @erikruck & @thegoldenbear

Gulf Coastin’ Day 4 is live! Follow the @redbull crew of @parxxx, @meaganethell, @briankgrubb, @massipiffa and @guentheroka on their adventure riding and winching through the west coast of Florida. Check back next week for Day 4!

See episodes 1, 2 and 3!

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Red Bull Wake Crew Goes Gulf Coastin’ – Episode 3

Staff — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 20:00:00 +0000

Video by @erikruck

Gulf Coastin’ Day 3 is Live! Follow the @redbull crew of @parxxx, @meaganethell, @briankgrubb, @massipiffa and @guentheroka on their adventure riding and winching through the west coast of Florida. Check back next week for Day 4!

See episodes 1 and 2!

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Red Bull Wake Crew Goes Gulf Coastin’ – Episode 2

Staff — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 20:00:00 +0000

In this episode, pro riders using a Malibu and Mastercraft ride and explore Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Episode 1, you followed the adventure from Sanibel to Fort Myers. In this episode, watch as Meagan Ethell, Parks Bonifay, Brian Grubb, Massi Piffaretti and Oka Guenther just live their best lives heading from Venice, and hitting Siesta Key, the John Ringling Causeway and finishing in Anna Maria Island.

Check back next week for Episode 3!

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Red Bull Wake Crew Goes Gulf Coastin’ – Episode 1

Staff — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 21:24:16 +0000

Wakeboarding pros Parks Bonifay, Brian Grubb, Massi Piffaretti, Guenther Oka and Meagan Ethell traveled from Sanibel, Florida, near Fort Myers, north up the Intracoastal Waterway towards Tampa.

The crew stopped along the way in Venice, traversed the scenic mangroves of Anna Maria Island and finally ended up north in Clearwater, Florida. Day 1 of the trip saw the crew winch the timber trestle bridge in Boca Grande, FL, see some dolphins cavorting on their way up to Manasota Key and finally finish the day with some foiling and good vibes up in Casey Key near Venice, Florida.

Check back next week for Day 2 of the epic adventure.

See Last Year’s Full Trip: South Florida Run – The Full Journey

Last Year’s Story: Sessions – The South Florida Run

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What’s in Zuzana Vrablova’s Bag?

Andrea Gaytan — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 21:00:00 +0000

Slovakia’s Six Time World Wakeskate Champion Zuzana Vrablova has dominated the wakeskating arena for the past decade. Find out about her choice of gear and her favorite accessories in and out of the water.

Vrablova, with the gear that helps the champion be herself! Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Board

So in first place I have my Water Monsters 39.5 Wakeskate. I am a big fan of this shape and I also think this size fits me well.

Fun fact, I took a photo of Andrew’s feet in the graphic of the board.

Here is Vrablova’s Water Monsters wakeskate. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Shoes

I’ve always been using all kinds of Nike SB shoes but I guess my most favorite are Janoski. First I wear them for a little while and then I switch them for Wakeskating.

Vrablova likes to break in Nike SBs, then use them for wakeskating. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Helmet

When I ride at the cable park, I always use a helmet for safety reasons. My favorite is actually a Sandbox helmet with Red Bull branding on it.

Vrablova wears a Sandbox helmet. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Lifejacket

All the Follow lifejackets are so good! And if you know me, you know I also like the neoprene pants from Follow.

Slovakia’s Six-Time World Wakeskate Champion, Zuzana Vrablova. In addition to wearing Follow lifejackets, she wears Follow neoprene pants. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

For Hydration

One perk of being a Red Bull Team rider is the unlimited energy drinks that I am provided. I normally drink one for some proper energy before riding.

I also bring my Wakeskate Session water jug to stay hydrated.

Vrablova is a Red Bull Team rider. She drinks Red Bull energy drinks and carries water in a Wakeskate Session water jug. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Sports Bra

I love my Roxy Sports Bras. They are super comfy, good for wakeskating and also pretty to hang around.

Vrablova recommends Roxy sports bras. Courtesy Roxy

Rope and Handle

When I’m not riding at the cable park or getting towed with a winch, I use the ropes and handles from Follow for all my wakeskating sessions behind the Sea-Doo.

Vrablova uses Follow handles and ropes behind the Sea-Doo. Courtesy Zuzana Vrablova

Personal Water Craft

No, it doesn’t fit in her bag…but Vrablova’s preferred tow is a Sea-Doo Wake Pro. It features 230 smile-inducing horsepower with addictive acceleration from the Rotax 1630. Impressive torque and great fuel economy.

Read Next: What’s In Anna Nikstad’s Bag?

Camera

I always bring my Go Pro Max waterproof camera to film my sessions and create new video edits.

Aromatherapy

Outside of the water I love using all of Dr. Bronner’s organic aromatherapy products. They are environmentally safe, smell amazingly and aren’t tested on animals.

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